Dr Thomas Waterfield is beginning a research study which aims to develop a clinical decision tool that can better identify cases of meningococcal disease (MD) in children who present to hospital with a temperature and a non-blanching rash. This will provide doctors with more confidence about proceeding with treatment or deciding to safely discharge the child home. The project will involve a large clinical study in children and make use of a rapid bedside test (called LAMP-MD) for diagnosing MD which has been developed in Belfast.
Treating potential bacterial cases with antibiotics is still the safest approach and doctors at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children will continue to do this during the two-year pilot. But they will also use the rapid Lamp test to quickly see if their clinical hunches are right.
Researcher Dr Tom Waterfield said it could also spot less obvious cases that might otherwise slip through the net. "With the best will in the world you can still miss cases if a child looks quite well and you think it is viral rather than bacterial. The test could also provide reassurance earlier to anxious parents that their sick child is getting the right treatment. Two days is a long time to wait for a confirmed diagnosis."
Read more about this study on the BBC>
Thomas is undertaking a Research Fellowship funded by HSC R&D Division to support excellent, early career professionals to understand how to undertake research in health or social care environments.
See previous news article on Belfast Trust role in developing the tests and the role of HiberGene Diagnostics Limited